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Monday, June 16, 2008

Rivolis, not Raviolis

Hello, Everyone! I just want to thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and emails that you've posted or sent me. I truly appreciate it and it has really given me such support and solace in what has been a crazy few weeks.
I have been actually very busy! I've still got a lot to sort through with all of my "stuff" and believe me, it's a lot! I may be having one of my famous, or "infamous" stamp sales at my house down the line. You won't believe how many stamps I have. I didn't realize how many I'd brought to the office over the past 8 years. But it will be a good deal for anyone who wants to make a trip to see me in NJ! But that will be later this summer.

In the meantime I have been doing a lot more beading and I wanted to share some of what I've been doing. I had shown in an earlier posting some of the necklaces I had made with a Swarovski Rivoli. Many have been beading with these lately and I just love the look and sparkle of them. Using Laura McCabe's book as an initial reference, I've been having a blast and have been getting back to my bead crochet necklaces as well. I used some awesome Designer Bead Mixes from the Beadwrangler.

The color of the first photo's Rivoli is called Volcano, which has reds, purples...it's absolutely amazing when you see all of the color and sparkle that is one crystal! The small 3mm Bicone Swarovski Crystals are Fuchsia in color and have been incorporated into the spral necklace, using both matte black, silver and some other colors what work together. I just sit down with my beads, separated by color and just keep pulling and comparing to see what looks good. I definitely use my Ott-Lite to see what I'm doing! I don't know what I'd do without it.
The next necklace is with one of the Beadwrangler Mixes...a color that I don't usually go to, but loved....Coral Sea. I created a crochet necklace and then used the colors for the bezel and Padparadscha (I can't say the name, but I sure like the color!) Swarovski Crystals. The Rivoli is Crystal AB (Aurora Borealis), one of my favorites, because it goes with everything!
For this focal Rivoli I used another Beadwranger Mix, Sea Foam and Jet Black AB2X Crystals. It doesn't look Jet Black, but with the magic of the various coatings they put on the crystals, it's perfect with these colors. This particular bead mix has some really fun small beads with green stripes on them, which make the mix all the more fun. I've got the finished necklace now, but didn't get a chance to take a picture of it.
I've had so much fun making these and have a few more finished but have just not had the chance to take the pictures...I'm actually busy, busy, busy working on samples for CHA Summer.
I'll continue to keep everyone posted as to what I'm up to. I've got so many idead in my brain, and not enough time.
Wishing everyone a great week!
Robin

20 comments:

wendy vecchi said...

These are unbelievably amazing! REALLY!!
I can't even imagine the patience that takes.
When I think of me & beads...I see them all over the floor! NOT GOOD!
Nice to hear from you. Now I don't need to report you to the blog cops!
wendy

Margie Higuchi said...

WOW, Robin! These pieces are just breath-taking!!! Wish I can do this or should I say the patience to do this! LOL!! Yes, keep posting! Wanna hear from you often!! xoxoxo

Susan said...

Wow! You continually amaze me with your talent. Like others I wish I were more patient to bead like that. I guess that is what my husband is for.
Susan

Evidence of an Artistic Life said...

Your beadwork is absolutely incredible!!! These are gorgeous pieces!

Absolutely Everything said...

Robin...AAAWWWEEEESSSOOOOMMMMMEEEEE!!
You are so talented...I will call you
Kate

dime store daze said...

Hey Robin,
so good to see your still out there creating such fabulous work WOW they are stunning..I can't imagine the patience it takes to sit and design those GEMS...Keep on truckin..
xo
Terri

Linda M. Cain said...

Beautiful creations!!! Keep those little fingers busy. And do it before you get old, like me, and can't see the holes in the seed beads like you used to! HA!
Lind

Ruby Craft said...

Beautiful necklaces. I love the colors.

Stacey said...

Those are just stunning!

Margot Potter said...

Yay Robin! Now who's the Bead Queen?! I could never in a zillion years have the patience to do that, bead weaving is where my bead journey began and I quickly realized it was not my forte. Yes, I'm impatient, have I mentioned that?

You should propose a class for Tucson, quickly, to Swarovski. These are very cool.

Cheers,
Madge

kelli said...

WOW they are beautiful and you can see that you love to make them. Glad to see you are doing well. Keep me posted on that stamp sale, a girl can't have to many stamps. LOL

Anonymous said...

Robin, those are insanely cool! You are so multi-talented! Looking forward to catching up in July. :-) Hugs!

Keri Lee Sereika said...

Htese are BEYOND BEYOND gorgeous..wow...

barbe said...

gorgeous!! I love love love rivoli's, especially Volcano. and I don't do beadwork like that anymore, so I like to live vicariously thru you clever beaders!

sorry about the job, and you know something wonderful will come to fill the space!

ncurryartiste said...

Robin....your beading pieces are extraordinary. I wish you a continued good recovery and best of luck as you continue to grow in new directions.

Jeannette - Stamped Designs said...

I don't know how you find the patience to do this stuff! The necklaces are amazing! I'm lucky if I can string seed beads on a piece of thread!

Anne Holliday said...

Hi Robin:

It's Anne Holliday, we had dinner last year in Chicago @ the Webber Grill Place? (I KNOW you remember). I've just read your blog and the "going's on in your life. Chin up girlie, you'll find the perfect new adventure! I'll see you @ CHA (sans Jeannette but that's a story for another time). XO~

Michelle McGee said...

Nice beading!

Glad to see you've been busy, and hope the knee is doing okay

Sudie said...

Robin, These are simply fabulous. Amazing work.

Lesli said...

WOW - what fabulous bead work - I am so impressed!